Westport Presbyterian Church
Season of Epiphanies! Realizations! Serendipities! Surprise Appearances! Sudden Awakenings!
February 27, 2022, 11:00 am
PRELUDE: Sonata “Fred the Cat”: IV. Andante—Alan Hovhaness
UNISON CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS
Earth, our home, rising above its moon,delights and inspires everyone who sees it from space.Against intense cosmic black,the blue speck evokes a deep response.No words express the urge to care for this tiny, fragile planet. Experiencing the world as One awakens a new consciousness. Instead of boundaries of fear, a world celebrating diversity is beginning to dawn. Let’s create community based on the indescribable beauty of the Earth and on the tremendous freedom of the human spirit. —Fred Culver
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: God of Grace and God of Glory GTG#307
A UNISON CONFESSION OF A LACK OF—AND HOPE FOR—SPIRITUAL LIBERATION: (adapted from Fred Culver’s Collegium Spiritus—words in parenthesis not spoken )
I have been bored and lonely and complied with the normal. I have settled for the dull and the common place, The trivial and the brief, The secure and the comfortable. I have engaged in stereotypes. Still, I have been inspired with supreme beauty, Especially joyous and inspiring moments. It is time to withdraw, listen for inner support and diverse support By spending enough time in contemplation and dialogue, enough time alone, Enough time with others, preparing to be an agent of transformation. What makes life worth living is To experience enthusiasm [Greek: En(In) theos(God) = in God] To find my deep center, engage with friends and Come alive! Amen.
BLESSED ASSURANCE OF GOD’S ACTIVE, DYNAMIC GRACE: Gather Us In GTG#401
BIBLE READINGS: Psalm 121 Romans 12:1-2 Luke 9:28-36
SUNG RESPONSE: Transform Us
SERMON: Living Under This Tension
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness GTG #291
WELCOMING
CHORAL ANTHEM: Laudate Nomen Domini—Christopher Tye
O praise the name of God on high, ye servants of the Lord; From morning till the setting sun, be everywhere adored. The laws of God make glad my heart, who makes God’s mercies known; All kings and nations bow before God’s throne.
Matthew 25 Prayer, Lord’s Prayer, Sung Response: Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (sing twice) GTG#851
OFFERTORY: We Have Tomorrow— Text, Langston Hughes; music, Florence Price; Emma WitbolsFeugen, mezzo soprano
UNISON PRAYER DEDICATING OUR OFFERINGS TO GOD’S GREAT WORK AMONG US AND BEYOND US
Creator Spirit, Inspire us to risk living life in the Spirit,Developing our capacity for the Creator Spirit. Let us overcome our self! Create community as an antidote to violence. Global community as a way out of war.Show us the way to get lost into what you, the great I AM, are doing! Amen.
—Adapted from a World Center for Global Community writing by Fred Culver and Rae Peterson
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Over My Head
BLESSING
SUNG RESPONSE: Lead Me, Guide Me (Sing twice) GTG#740
POSTLUDE: Sonata “Fred the Cat”: III. Maestoso—Alan Hovhaness
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